A Cozy House With a Scandinavian Aesthetic

In upstate New York, rooms saturated in cozy colors fill a house with warmth and charm. Designer Charles O. Schwarz III created a comfortable home with a touch of Scandinavian design that reflects the owner's heritage. For more decorating ideas and tips read the interview with the designer.

Family Room

Family Room

A house in upstate New York designed by Charles O. Schwarz III reflects the owner's love of Scandinavian design. A contemporary room with a cathedral ceiling — an addition ill-suited to the house — was transformed into a cozy, barn-like family room. To give warmth and a feeling of age to Sheetrock, Schwarz put planking on the walls and beadboard on the ceiling and painted it all Farrow & Ball Picture Gallery Red. "It's not a red-red — there's no sharpness to it," he explains. "The room is saturated in it, so it had to be an easy color to live with." The simple pine shelves, inspired by milk crates, can be rearranged at will. Schwarz designed the high-armed sofa — "the kind you want to curl up in" — and covered it in Lee Jofa's Connaught chenille. The Cocktail ottoman and Mark Hampton Faux Bamboo benches are from Hickory Chair.